Movable partition



March 9, 1965 A. G. IMBRECHT MOVABLE PARTITION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledDec. 29, 1961 6 L z a/ INVENTOR. ARTHUR G. IMBRECHT ATTORNEY FIG. 3

March 9, 1965 A. G. IMBRECHT I 7 MOVABLE PARTITION Filed Dec. 29, 1961 2Sheets-Sheet 2 I I I 1 i 1 v I A I] E L\\ 7 m J j- H g I! 1 L IINVENTOR. i f ARTHUR G.IMBRECHT a 1 i: 1 BY AILQRN EY United StatesPatent 3,172,166 MOVABLE PARTITIQN Arthur G. Irnbrecht, 5597 Lonna LindaDrive, Long Beach 15, Calif. Filed Dec. 29, 1961, Ser. No. 163,095 6Claims. (Cl. -4)

The present invention relates generally to the field of movablepartitions, and more particularly to an improvement in the structure andoperation of the movable partition as disclosed and claimed in my UnitedStates Letters Patent No. 2,947,041 which issued August 2, 1960.

The use of movable partitions that can be easily and quickly moved fromplace to place within a large room having a floor and ceiling has beenconstantly increasing in popularity for some time. The increased demandfor such movable partitions is undoubtedly due to the fact that they arelight in weight, completely portable, require no floor or ceilingattachments, requiring only one accessory for the erection thereof, thatof a source of fiuid under pressure, and are substantially soundproof.

Other reasons for the popularity of such partitions is that they may beutilized to provide a semi-permanent wall or walls to subdivide a largerarea into rooms of a desired shape and area, and inasmuch as the movablepartitions are not mechanically aflixed to the floor or ceiling, theyare classified as furniture whereby the owner is able to remove themfrom a building when a lease expires or the owner decides to move toanother location. Also, when these partitions are erected to define awall, they provide substantial sound insulating value, and functions ofa noisy nature inone area of a large room subdivided into smaller areasby these partitions will only be heard in the area in which the noisearises.

Many of the above advantages have been achieved by the use of themovable partition disclosed and claimed in Patent No. 2,947,041.However, in the commercial production of said partition, it was foundthat it could be improved to overcome certain disadvantages thereof. Onesuch disadvantage was that the vertically movable beamdefining the upperportion thereof had a limited throw, whereby the partition was onlyadapted for use in those rooms wherein the distance between the floorand ceiling fell within one inch and one and one-half inches of apredetermined height. Another disadvantage of the movable partitiondisclosed and claimed in said patent was that light could be transmittedfrom one side thereof to the other through the junctions of the movablebeams when they were in an upwardly extended position.

Another operational difficulty encountered in the use of my firstmovable partition was that the inflatable tube used in moving the upperhorizontal beam vertically, would also expand transversely, and whensubstantial fluid pressure was applied to the interior of the tube, thislateral expansion was sufficiently forceful to break the upper portionsof the panel member, as well as deform 'the molding pieces whichextended downwardly from the beam of T-shaped transverse cross section.Also, if a substantial transverse force was applied to the partition,slippage could conceivably occur between the lower portion of thepartition and the flooring engaged thereby.

A major object in devising the present invention is to provide animproved movable partition having an upper horizontal beam with avertical throw far greater than could be achieved by the inflatablestructure disclosed and claimed in my previous patent, as well as, amovable partition wherein no substantial lateral force' is applied tothe upper portion thereof, irrespective of how great a fluid pressure isexerted on the fluid-actuated mechanism used in raising the beam forminga part of the structure.

3,172,166 Patented Mar. 9, 1965 Another object of the present inventionis to provide an improved movable partition that is particularly adaptedfor defining wall structures which include corner portions, as well asproviding a movable partition that is easier to take down and erect thanthe partition disclosed and claimed in my previous patent.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description thereof, and from theaccompanying drawings illustrating the same, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a number of the improved movablepartitions in side-by-side interlocking engagement, with the upper andlower edges thereof being held in forceful frictional contact with theceiling and floor respectively of the room in which they are installed;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of one of themovable partitions taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a combined side elevational and vertical cross-sectionalview of one of the movable partitions taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the beamstructure and the trough portion of the panel member in which it ispartially disposed;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of theinvention taken on the line 55 of FIG- URE 3, showing the fluidactuatable resilient member in a compressed condition;

FIGURE 6 is the same view as FIGURE 5 after the resilient tube has beenexpanded by fluid pressure before the beam is in frictional contact withthe ceiling;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary horizontal, cross-sectional view of a portionof the resilient tube and the woven en.- velope extending therearound,taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary horizontal, cross-sectional view of thejunction between two of the movable partitions, taken on the line 8-8 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the manner bywhich two of the partitions may be so formed as to removably interlockand define a corner of a wall;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one of the movablepanels having a spring-loaded end piece mounted thereon, which end pieceis held in abutting contact with one of the walls of the room in whichthe sequence of partitions shown in FIGURE 1 is located;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view of theinvention taken on the line 11-11 of FIG- URE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of oneof the movable partitions;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second one of themovable partitions showing means for use in inflating the tube thatraises the movable beam;

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of theinvention taken on the line 14-14 of FIG- URE 13; and

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a portion ofthe invention taken on the line 15-15 of FIGURE 14.

Referring now to FIGURES l and 3 of the drawings for the generalarrangement of the invention, it will be seen to include a number ofrectangular movable partitions A that may be disposed in side-by sideabutting contact to define a wall, with the lower portion of eachpartition A resting on the floor B and the upper portion of eachpartition in pressure contact with a ceiling C.

Each partition A, as can best be seen in FIGURE 3, is defined by a firstvertical side piece D that has a tongue E projecting therefrom. Eachpartition A also includes a second vertical side piece F in which agroove G is formed. The tongue E of one of the partitions A (FIGURE 1)is adapted to be slidably inserted within the groove G of an adjoiningpartition A when the partitions are in a wallforming position, with thetongue and groove removably interlocking to prevent inadvertentdisplacement of one of the partitions A relative to an adjoiningpartition. The side pieces D and F are joined at the bottom by a lowercross piece H. Each partition A also includes two parallel laterallyseparated cross members I which abut against the interior surfaces ofthe side pieces D and F. A cross piece K connects the lower interiorportions of the cross members I, as may best be seen in FIGURE 2.

The cross members I and cross piece K cooperatively define alongitudinally extending trough, referred to generally by the letter L,in each of the movable partitions A. Two cylindrical metallic spacers10, the structure of which is shown in FIGURE 4, have pointed ends 12which are caused to engage opposite portions of the cross members I tohold them in a desired lateral relationship. The spacers 10 preventinadvertent movement of the cross members I towards one another beyond apredetermined minimum spacing.

A number of metallic staple-like members 14 having downwardly extendingprongs 16 on the ends thereof are driven into the upper portions of thecross members I and serve to hold the cross members in a fixed lateralrelationship. Two rectangular panels M and N are bonded to the exteriorsurfaces of the side pieces D and F, lower cross piece H, and crosspieces I, as may best be seen in FIGURE 2. An inverted angular U-shapedcap is provided for each of the partitions A, and each cap extendsdownwardly over the upper portions of the panels M and N. Each cap 0 hastwo parallel downwardly extending legs 18 that are connected on theirupper ends by a horizontal web 20. These caps O are preferably formedfrom a lightweight rigid material. The lower longitudinally extendinginterior surfaces of legs 18 have strips of felt 22 or like materialaflixed thereto, and these felt strips at all times are in frictionalcontact with the exerior surfaces of the panels M and N. The legs 18, ascan best be seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, support transversely extendingmolding strips P and Q respectively.

The upper surface of the web Zti supports a pad R formed of a resilientmaterial that may be brought into pressure contact with the ceiling Cand has a high COfifllcient of friction relative thereto. Threerectangular blocks S, T and U are afiixed by screws V or other fasteningmeans to the lower interior surface of the web 20, as best shown inFIGURES 2 and 3. The blocks S, T and U are of a thickness which permitsthem to be freely movable in the trough L, and are laterally separatedby spaces 24 which are greater than the diameter of the spacers 10.

Two screws 26 extend laterally into the ends of the blocks S and U andare screwed into the blocks to a degree that the cap 0 with the blocksS, T and U affixed thereto may be moved vertically in the trough L butcan not move laterally relative to the panel members M and N. Bores 28extend downwardly in blocks S and U from the upper surface thereof, andthese bores 28 also are in communication with counter-bores 30 thatextend upwardly from the lower edge of these blocks. A body shoulder 32is defined at the junction between bores 23 and counter-bores 30.

Two elongate rods 34 having heads 36 on the upper ends thereof extenddownwardly through the bores 28 and counter-bores 39. Threads 38 areformed on the lower ends'of rods 34 which engage the cross piece K,which cross piece is preferably formed from wood. Two helical springs 40encircle the upper portion of the rods 34, with the upper ends of thesprings abutting against the heads 36 and the lower ends of the springsagainst the body shoulder 32. Springs 40 are at all times under at leastslight compression, and tend to maintain the lower surface of the web 20in contact with the upper edge surfaces of the cross members I, as maybe seen in FIGURE 2.

An endless tube W formed of a resilient material such as butyl rubber,or the like, is provided that may be inflated or deflated by a tube Xwhich is in communication therewith and extends downwardly through anopening 42 formed in substantially the center of the cross piece K. Theentire exterior surface of the tube W and at least a part of the fluidinlet tube X are covered by an envelope Y formed of a woven materialsuch as nylon, or the like, which prevents expansion of the tubing Wbeyond a predetermined transverse cross section, irrespective of thefluid pressure that may exist therein.

A band Z, which may be a rubber band, or similar device, encircles thecentral portion of the endless tube W and envelope Y and permits them tobe folded as shown in FIGURE 3 to define two sets of loops disposed oneabove the other when the lowermost surface of the envelope Y rests onthe upper surface of the cross piece K and the uppermost surface of theenvelope and is in contact with the lower surfaces of the blocks S, Tand U. When the invention is disposed as shown in FIGURE 3, the tube Wis deflated and substantially compressed as shown in FIGURE 5. When thetube W is folded as well as compressed due to the positioning of theblocks S, T and U, the passage through the tube W could be blocked, forthe opposite interior wall surfaces of the tube are in pressure contactwith one another. To prevent such blocking of the interior passagethrough the tube W, this tube is formed with longitudinally extendingribs 44, as may best be seen in FIGURE 5, that at all times maintainopposite interior surface portions of the tube out of contact with oneanother and assure that a continuous fluid passage 46 remains therein,irrespective of the compression which may be applied thereto.

When fluid under pressure such as air, Freon, or the like, is caused todischarge through the tube X into the interior of the tube W, the loopsdefined by this tube W (FIGURE 3) tend to assume a more verticalposition, and in so doing the uppermost surface of the envelope Y isforced against the lower surfaces of the blocks S, T and U, causing theblocks and the cap 0 to be moved upwardly until the resilient pad R isin pressure contact with the ceiling C. The heads 36 on the elongaterods 34 cooperate with both the springs 40 and body shoulders 32 toprevent inadvertent displacement of the cap 0 from the partition A andserve to limit the upward throw of the blocks S, T and U relative to thepanels M and N. When fluid under pressure is permitted to discharge fromthe tube X as will be explained in detail hereinafter, the compressionon springs 40 moves to blocks S, T, and U, together with cap 0,downwardly relative to the panels M and N, and returns the assembly tothe position shown in FIGURE 3.

When the movable partitions A are arranged as shown in FIGURE 1, lightfrom, say, the left-hand side of the room in which the partitions aredisposed is not visible on the right-hand side of the movable partitionsA due to the interlocking of the tongues E and grooves G. However, theends of caps 0 adjacent one another do not interlock, and it would bepossible for light beams to shine through the space therebetween whenthe caps have been moved upwardly to engage the ceiling C. To preventpassage of light, bevels 50 are formed on the ends of strips P and Q,which bevels overlap whereby light cannot pass through the cap edges.

When it is desired to arrange the movable partitions A to form anL-shaped wall structure, one of the partitions, which is identified bythe letter A in FIGURE 9 of the drawings, has a tongue E formed on oneof the side pieces thereof. Tongue E interlocks with one of the groovesG of the movable partition A disposed at one end of the sequence ofpartitions forming a Wall. When such a construction is used, theadjoining end portions of the cap in partition A and the cap 0 inpartition A are cut on an angle of 45 whereby the edge portions thereofare in abutting contact.

For sound insulating purposes the interior of each movable partitionbelow the cross piece K, between the side pieces D and F and above thelower cross piece H is preferably filled with a foamed plastic such asStyrofoam manufactured by the Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Michigan.

When a sequence of movable partitions A are extended between twoparallel walls 54, one of which is shown in FIGURE 1, the last of thepartitions in the sequence must be provided with a horizontally movable,vertically extending end portion in order to make such positioningpossible. A movable partition A" having a horizontally movable endsection 56 is shown in FIGURES and 11.

The movable partition A" is similar to the partitions A, except that aside piece D" is provided which has no tongue E thereon. Those elementsin partition A common to elements in partition A are identified by thesame numeral or letter but to which a double prime has been added. Theside piece D" terminates in a flat vertically extending edge 58. Ahorizontally movable, vertically extending end section 60 is mounted onthe left-hand edge portion of partition A", as best shown in FIGURES 10and 11.

End section 60 includes a rigid upright 62 of square horizontal crosssection that has two rectangular sheets 64 projecting therefrom whichslidably engage the exterior surfaces of panels M" and N". Two bowsprings 66 are affixed to the interior vertical surface 68 of upright62. Springs 66 bear against the exterior vertical surface 70 of endpiece D", and at all times tends to move upright 62 to the left awayfrom end piece D, as seen in FIGURE 10. Two elongate rigid strips 72project to the right from the top and bottom of upright 62 (FIGURES 10and 11). Each strip 72 has an elongate slot 74 formed therein whichslidably engages a projecting screw 76 aflixed to the partition A". Thescrews 76, slots 74 and strips 72 cooperatively prevent end section 60from being inadvertently displaced from the partition A" on which it ismounted.

A square section 78 of resilient material extends upwardly from theupper extremity of end section 60, and can be deformed both verticallyand horizontally as the end section 60 is moved relative to partition Ato complete a sequence of partitions A between two walls of a structure.The tube X used in inflating or deflating the tube W can be extended toa normally closed valve having a tubular portion 80 that extends to theexterior of partition A, as shown in FIGURE 1. If portion 80 is locatedas shown in FIGURE 1, fluid under pressure can be discharged thereinonly when the sequence of partitions A is being erected to define a wallstructure. If the sequence of partitions A are to remain standing for aprolonged period of time, it may be desirable to periodically add fluidunder pressure to replace that which has been lost due to escape fromthe tube W. Each partition A has a small opening 82 formed in panel Mlocated adjacent the side piece 13 (FIGURE 13) through which fluid underpressure may be periodically added to each of the tubes W while thepartitions A in which they are situated are disposed as shown in FIGURE1.

A resilient tubular member 84 extends inwardly from the opening 82 tocommunicate with a normally closed resilient body 86 that can be openedto have a passage extend therethrough when a tubular bayonet (not shown)is inserted within the confines of member 84 and forced through thenormally closed body. Member 84 and body 86 are held in two interlockingcomponents 88 and 90 that are disposed in a cavity formed in the sidepiece D. A bore 92 is formed in component 90 which is in communicationwith the body 86 as well as a resilient tube 94 of small transversecross section that extends outwardly and upwardly through alongitudinally extending 6 groove 96 formed in the tongue E, as may bestbe seen in FIGURE 13. The tube 94 at a position adjacent the upper endof the movable partition passes inwardly through a bore 98 formed in thetongue E and end piece D, and is attached by means (not shown) to thetube X.

When it is desired to inflate the tube W in a partition A, a tubularbayonet (not shown) is inserted within the confines of the tubularmember 84 to expand the body 86 by discharging fluid under pressure suchas air, Freon, or the like, into the bore 92 to flow through the tubes94 and X into the resilient tube W to expand the same and raise the cap0 upwardly relative to the partition A to cause the resilient pad R topressure contact the ceiling C. When it is desired to deflate the tubeW, a tubular member (not shown) is inserted within the confines of thetubular member 84 to expand body 86, and permit the air under pressureto flow from the tubes W and X, and tubing 94 to the bore 92 where itpasses into the ambient atmosphere through the tubular member 84.

Operation of the invention is relatively simple. The partitions A aresequentially placed in the positions shown in FIGURE 1 or FIGURE 9 toform a wall of desired configuration. As each partition A is placed inposition, it is caused to interlock with a partition already in place.Thereafter, the resilient tube W is inflated with fluid under pressureby means of the tube X, as previously described. The cap 0 of thepartition A being positioned is moved upwardly as fluid under pressureis discharged into the tube W. Upward movement of the cap 0 stops whenthe resilient strip R pressure contacts the ceiling C. The pressurecontact of strip R with ceiling C causes a like pressure to be exertedby the lower portion of partition A on the floor B. The partition A isthen frictionally gripped in an upright position between the ceiling Cand floor B. The last partition to be placed in the wall structure isthe panel A", as explained in detail hereinafter.

To prevent deformation of tubing W whereby it is forced out of the wovencovering Y, after the tubing has been inflated for a prolonged period oftime, the cover is preferably extended over a portion of the tube X, asmay best be seen in FIGURE 3. The lower extremity of the woven cover Yis rigidly affixed to the tube X by a band or fitting Y.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objectsand providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to beunderstood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferredembodiments thereof and I do not mean to be limited to the details ofconstruction herein shown and described, other than as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In a movable partition of the type including a rectangular panelhaving first and second vertical edges and horizontal top and bottomedges adapted to be disposed between a floor and ceiling, a horizontaltrough of rectangular transverse cross section in said panel, anelongate member slidably disposed for vertical movement in said trough,

and an inverted U-shaped cap including a horizontal web aflixed to theupper edge of said member, the combination of:

(a) an endless resilient tube longitudinally disposed in said trough;

(b) a woven cover enveloping said tube that limits the exterior diameterto which said tube can expand when inflated a distance less than thewidth of said trough;

(c) a fluid inlet tube connected to the interior of said resilient tube;and

(d) a band extending transversely around a portion of said resilienttube and said cover at a position intermediate the junction of saidinlet tube with said resilient tube and the portion of said resilienttube opposite said inlet tube, said '2? band drawing the center portionsof said resilient tube toward each other, whereby said band divides saidresilient tube into first and second portions, with said first andsecond portions when said resilient tube is disposed in said trough andnot inflated, being folded to define first and second sets of oppositelydisposed loops, said loops of each set being superimposed one on top ofthe other, and with the lower surface of said cover that envelops saidfirst portion resting on the lower surface defining said trough, whjlethe upper surface of said cover that envelops said second portion isdisposed adjacent the lower surface of said member, said loops when saidresilient tube is inflated capable of moving upwardly a distance greaterthan that of the width of said trough.

2. A movable partition as defined in claim 1 which further includesspacer means inside said resilient tube for preventing completeobstruction of a fluid passage therethrough when said resilient tube isfolded and not inflated.

3. A movable partition as defined in claim 2 wherein said cap alsoincludes two elongate vertical legs that extend downwardly from theedges of said web over the upper portion of the panel, and wherein twoparallel molding strips are atfixed to the exterior surfaces of saidlegs, which strips have beveled ends that are capable of interlockingwith beveled ends on molding strips provided on adjacently disposedpartitions to prevent passage of light through the junction between saidstrips; and further includes (a) two elongate felt strips that extendlongitudinally alongthe lower interior edge surfaces of said legs, withsaid resilient strips slidably engaging the exterior surfaces of saidpanel as said member and cap are moved vertically relative thereto. I 4.A movable partition as defined in claim 2 which further includes meansfor preventing lateral movement of said member in said troughtransversely relative to said panel.

5. A movable partition as defined in claim 1 in which the said resilientcover also extends over a length of said air inlet tube disposedadjacent said resilient tube; and further includes (a) means foraifixing the outer extremity of said woven cover to said air inlet tubefor preventing deformation of said endless tube out of said woven coverwhen said endless tube is inflated.

6. A movable partition as defined in claim'S includingv spring means foratall times exerting a downward force on said member, which downwardforce is sufficient to References Cited in the file of this patentUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,070,960 Phillips Feb. 16, 1937 2,142,305 DavisJan. 3, 1939 2,256,836 Potchen Sept. 23, 1941 2,301,963 Marple Nov. 17,1942 2,328,970 Farquhar Sept. 7, 1943 2,380,152 David July 10, 19452,609,177 Hughes Sept. 2, 1952 2,610,824 Grier Sept. 16, 1952 2,694,239Bunker Nov. 16, 1954 2,699,580 Smith Ian. 18, 1955 2,933,784 HooversonApr. 26, 1960 2,943,718 Pollock July 5, 1960 2,947,041 Imbrecht Aug. 2,1960 2,949,651 Hill Aug. 23, 1960 3,048,121 Sheesley Aug. 7, 19623,049,328 Bishop Aug. 14, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain 1960

1. IN A MOVABLE PARTITION OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A RECTANGULAR PANELHAVING FIRST AND SECOND VERTICAL EDGES AND HORIZONTAL TOP AND BOTTOMEDGES ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED BETWEEEN A FLOOR AND CEILING, A HORIZONTALTO BE DISPOSED TANGULAR TRANSVERSE CROSS SECTION IN SAID PANEL, ANELONGATE MEMBER SLIDABLY DISPOSED FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT IN SAID TROUGH,AND IN INVERTED U-SHAPED CAP INCLUDING A HORIZONTAL WEB AFFIXED TO THEUPPER EDGE OF SAID MEMBER, THE COMBINATION OF: (A) AN ENDLESS RESILIENTTUBE LONGITUDINALLY DISPOSED IN SAID TROUGH; (B) A WOVEN COVERENVELOPING SAID TUBE THAT LINES THE EXTERIOR DIAMETER TO WHICH SAID TUBECAN EXPAND WHEN INFLATED A DISTANCE LESS THAN THE WIDTH OF SAID TROUGH,(C) A FLUID INLET TUBE CONNECTED TO THE INTERIOR OF SAID RESILIENT TUBE;AND (D) A BAND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY AROUND A PORTION OF SAID RESILIENTTUBE AND SAID COVER AT A POSITION INTERMEDIATE THE JUNCTION OF SAIDINLET TUBE WITH SAID RESILIENT TUBE AND THE PORTION OF SAID RESILIENTTUBE OPPOSITE SAID INLET TUBE, SAID BAND DRAWING THE CENTER PORTIONS OFSAID RESILIENT TUBE TOWARD EACH OTHER, WHEREBY SAID BAND DIVIDES SAIDRESILIENT TUBE INTO FIRST AND SECOND PORTIONS, WITH SAID FIRST ANDSECOND PORTIONS WHEN SAID RESILIENT TUBE IS DISPOSED IN SAID TROUGH ANDNOT INFLATED, BEING FOLDED TO DEFINE FIRST AND SECOND SETS OF OPPOSITELYDISPOSED LOOPS, SAID LOOPS OF EACH SET BEING SUPERIMPOSED ONE ON TOP OFTHE OTHER, AND WITH THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID COVER THAT ENVELOPS SAIDFIRST PORTION RESTING ON THE LOWER SURFACE DEFINING SAID TROUGH, WHILETHE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID COVER THAT ENVELOPS SAID SECOND PORTION ISDISPOSED ADJACENT THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID MEMBER, SAID LOOPS WHEN SAIDRESILIENT TUBE IS INFLATED CAPABLE OF MOVING UPWARDLY A DISTANCE GREATERTHAN THAT OF THE WIDTH OF SAID TROUGH.